Bergkamp and Ronaldo aim to thrill in mouth-watering clash

The deadly menace of Dennis Bergkamp and the still simmering danger of Brazil's Ronaldo can determine the outcome of the world champions' clash with Holland in what should be a watershed World Cup semi-final in Marseille tonight. Previous World Cup semi-finals have not always been noted for their footballing artistry with the prospect of that ultimate stage weighing heavily on all players. But Brazil and Holland have made their names with adventurous football and, for that reason alone, all roads tonight lead to the old seaport city in Provence. As to the leading characters . . . Bergkamp has been brilliant for the Dutch throughout the tournament but Ronaldo, variously said to be homesick and pining for his often absent girlfriend, has not made this World Cup the personal stage most believed he would. Not yet anyway. It was Barcelona's Rivaldo who showed Brazil the way forward in their quarter-final game against Denmark where Ronaldo was patchily involved. And it has been the mercurial Bebeto, now back with Botafogo in Brazil, who has been frequently the dangerman in front of goal. Ronaldo, with the accolade of the world's best player on his shoulders every time he runs out, has shown many superb touches, particularly in the group phase but it has been Brazil's superbly inventive midfield that has come through strongest. One major confrontation tonight will be between the world's most expensive defender in Manchester United's Jaap Stam and Ronaldo. It will also be crucial. This has not been a good World Cup for Stam, but he did look more comfortable during the second half of the game against Argentina when the South Americans, admittedly, were beginning to fade. But in the first half the pacey Claudio Lopez had exposed Stam more than once and the dexterity of Ronaldo, plus his innate footballing genius will make life difficult for the Dutch central defender if it flowers in the humid heat of a Marseille night. However, if the lanky Stam stifles the Ronaldo fire he will have done himself and his country a massive favour. Bergkamp, who might well have been sent off and been out of this game had a deliberate stamp on a Yugoslavian player been properly dealt with, is a complex character. It is not the first time that Bergkamp has reached flashpoint despite his correct and careful off-field demeanour. That temper will have to be kept in check because the Dutch, while a most formidable side, still need the class, vision and clinical finishing of the Arsenal ace. The biggest bonus for Holland in this World Cup, unlike the 1996 European Championships, has been the comradeship in the dressing room. And no player has underlined this new-found stability better than Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids. His contribution to the Dutch cause has been immense and he should impress afresh in this game which sees the best of European football clash with the best from South America - indeed, the world. Davids looked virtually a complete player against Argentina, working until he dropped, picking out teammates with a dazzling array of passes - short and long - and running back to help out his defence. His goalscoring abilities were demonstrated one game earlier when his late, late goal subdued Yugoslavia. The world delights in Brazil's approach to football and they make you believe that they do not just want to win - they must win with style. They usually do. But there have been worrying moments in this World Cup for the army of samba-dancing, green-and-yellow draped fans who have turned the towns of France into Brazilian barrios, alive with colour and music. While skipper Dunga, who has already said this is his final fling at international football, has been steady and commanding, there have been awkward moments for the rest of the defence. Junior Baiano is being carefully studied by several European teams with an eye to a deal after the tournament but he has not always shown the stability and authority one might expect. Baiano, who had one European fling with Werder Bremen before being shown the door for assaulting an opponent, lacks consistency. He can play a fine ball out of defence and then be caught in two minds when required to break up an attack. When Brian Laudrup scored a superb second goal for Denmark, the manner in which the ball reached him displayed Brazil's cavalier approach to defence. The ball was swung over well and Roberto Carlos executed an eye-catching bicycle kick but failed to connect - so the ball ran to Laudrup. Most experienced defenders would have either glanced the ball to goalkeeper Taffarel - as long as he felt he was not threatened - or headed upfield out of immediate danger. Cafu, the adventurous AS Roma defender, loves to rampage upfield and is very good at doing it. But he does not get the cover in this Brazilian team that is the norm of life in Serie A. The Dutch are much more disciplined when it comes to going forward from behind with Michael Reiziger a perfect example. The polished wingback is resolute in defence but has added frequently to the strength and quality of Dutch attacks by overlapping astutely. But he is always aware of his defensive responsibilities and the forward runs invariably come when Reiziger has cover - or time to get back. One is never certain if these same criteria ever apply to a Brazilian defence. Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, who has made his name here, opted to leave Marc Overmars on the bench against Argentina, preferring the straightforward striking power of Patrick Kluivert. However, it was also a handy ploy as Overmars, who runs straight at defences and can be terrifying to opponents in full flight, was brought on when Argentina were beginning to feel the pace of the game following their previous exertions against England. Hiddink may well opt for both Kluivert and Overmars, particularly as the excellent Arthur Numan is suspended. Hiddink will surely be tempted to play Bergkamp just behind Kluivert and Overmars and bring in Aron Winter for the absent Numan. History does not have that much bearing on football and the fact that Brazil, with Bebeto and Romario in dazzling form, beat the Dutch four years ago in the quarter-finals in America is little more than a footnote to what could be a classic footballing encounter tonight. With reservations about the Brazilian defence, Bergkamp looking brilliant, skipper Frank De Boer majestic and Kluivert poised to strike, I go for Holland to be the first team through to the World Cup final on Sunday. TEAMS Brazil (probable): 1-Taffarel; 13-Ze Carlos, 3-Aldair, 4-Junior Baiano, 6-Roberto Carlos; 5-Cesar Sampaio, 8-Dunga (captain), 18-Leonardo, 10-Rivaldo; 9-Ronaldo, 20-Bebeto. Netherlands (probable): 1-Edwin van der Sar; 2-Michael Reiziger, 3-Jaap Stam, 4-Frank de Boer, 11-Phillip Cocu; 7-Ronald de Boer, 6-Wim Jonk, 16-Edgar Davids, 12-Boudewijn Zenden; 8-Dennis Bergkamp, 9-Patrick Kluivert.